Saturday, October 28, 2006

Charlotte's not that bad, people!

The Charlotte.com world was abuzz this week with lots of party/date-y talk, thanks to blogs by Paid to Party's Tonya Jameson (take a look at the comments) and New Around Town's Leigh Dyer (these too, while you're at it). Most of the talk centered around the fact that many respondents believe Charlotte sucks when it comes to the nightlife scene, and it's really hard to make friends here.

Alisha: Unless you're living in Podunk, N.C., night life and dating activities are what you make of them. It's ludicrous to think there isn't enough to do in Charlotte.
Deirdre: Amen to that! I moved here from the San Francisco Bay Area and was pleasantly surprised at what Charlotte has to offer. Sure, it's no San Francisco, but it ain't Podunk, either.
Alisha: The diversity of activities is here. Folks just need to be more creative when coming up with ideas for dates. There's more to do than the blah dinner and blah movie.
Deirdre: I think one's attitude is critical. It's easy to complain about the scene here; I've been known to do it myself. But unless you believe in reincarnation, we only have one life. If you aren't enjoying life the way it is, change it. Whether that means trying different places here or moving to a new city altogether, ultimately, you are responsible for your own social life.
Alisha: Yep, the onus is definitely on each person. If you want to be a couch potato, fine -- just don't say there's nothing to do in Charlotte because your perspective is only seen through your living room window. It takes imagination and an open mind to fill your spare time in this city. Why not pack a picnic lunch and meet your spouse or best friend at Marshall Park in uptown? Or break out of your comfort zone and go to a concert of a group that you have never even heard of.
Deirdre: Someone on Leigh's blog made an interesting comment: "Charlotte sounds like the very start of a new country, like New York was for many of our grandparents and parents going to Ellis Island." I say why not take advantage of that? Embrace the chance to learn from and enjoy people of various cultures, not alienate yourself from them. The world is becoming a smaller place.
Alisha: And this region is a great place to explore if you put your mind to it, and you open up your schedule. People act like Charlotte is in the country. You haven't seen the country if you think this is it. It's Charlotte, not Mayberry.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's not THAT bad, but it could be A LOT better!!

Anonymous said...

Charlotte sucks.

Anonymous said...

I have lived here almost eight years and NEVER, EVER had a problem meeting people, having new places to go out to, eat out at or activties check out. No matter where you live, random people are not just going to walk up and knock on your door, and say "Let's be friends!" You have to get off your rear end and make it happen- be nice to your co-workers, join a networking group, go to the gym and find clubs that cater to your interests. I am 32 and just joined a new neighborhood book club. Sure, going to the first meeting where I didn't know a sould wasn't easy, but I now know three neighbors and have a new dentist- what more can I ask for? Any city is what you make it...

Anonymous said...

Life is what you make it. I lived in Seattle and northern Virginia, and now in Charlotte and I love 'em all.

Anonymous said...

I need suggestions, people!

Anonymous said...

Seriously, I don't know what you all are smoking, but Charlotte is booooring (zzZZZzZzZzzz)

Anonymous said...

Everything closes early here. If things stayed open a little later, it would be better!

The nightlife could be improved too.

I guess you can't be too hard on Charlotte - it isn't that big of a city yet. I'm sure everything all of us younger people complain about will happen in the next few years.

Anonymous said...

Charlotte is just a larger version of Mayberry. I've never seen so many "rich" people with mini-vans and pick-up trucks.

Anonymous said...

People never stop complaining. When I went to UNC Charlotte 15 years ago, people complained about how boring Charlotte was. Being from Kannapolis, I thought Charlotte had way more to offer, even if it wasn't Atlanta or New York. Now, the town is booming, with people streaming in from all over the place, and there are more places to go and things to do here than there ever was just a few years ago...but people still want to complain. I wish places stayed open later than 2 (and there have been clubs who have stayed open as late as 4 or even 6, but they no longer exist). As for meeting people, get out there and mingle! You don't meet anyone sitting at home, scratching and whining!

Anonymous said...

When I lived in Chicago, San Diego and Seattle I had fiends who said those places were boring too.

The truth is your location is what YOu make of it. It isn't boring. YOU are.

Anonymous said...

Charlotte's not that bad, just the people are. I'm sick of everywhere you go running into the same bar hoochies and spikey haired guys. There is soooo much of the EXACT same thing to do here, filled with the EXACT same crowd. It blows. Maybe if the UNCC kids had a greater presence around town (other than the clubbers) they could mix things up a bit.

Anonymous said...

You think dating is bad in Charlotte????? Bring your ass to Columbus, Georgia and find what dullsville is all about...lived both places, know whereof I speak!
Oh, and by the way, Happy Birthday, Alisha!